Review: A Lady's Lesson in Scandal

Nell is a woman who has lived a hard life and things look like they're only getting worse. She works in a factory, barely scraping by in the slums of London's Bethnel Green. Her mother is dying and her step-brother is ready to whore her out for money. On her deathbed, Nell's mother reveals that Nell's father is a highborn lord who may be willing to help her financially. But when her letter to him is ignored and her mother dies, Nell decides to get her revenge by killing the man in his sleep.

Only, when she arrives at the home of Lord Rushden, she doesn't find her father. He's been dead for months. Instead, she finds his heir.... a distant cousin. The new lord proposes a shocking idea. If she marries him, he'll help her establish her claim to her inheritance. In exchange, she'll help him shore up his empty coffers. What choice does she have, but to agree?

From here, the story reminds me a little of My Fair Lady, as Rushden tries to help transform Nell from a guttersnipe into a genteel aristocrat. But we get the added bonus of a little sexual heat. Nell and Rushden share a fiery attraction, which travels the course from tension, to action, to tender feelings. Nell's life begins to transform itself into a fairy tale, but she can't let go of the lessons learned in the slums; she can't trust that her happiness will last.

I enjoyed watching Nell drop her defenses as she fell for Rushden.  And I definitely enjoyed their love scenes. There are bumps along the road as they try to reach their happy ending, but the obstacles are worth it. Perhaps what's most refreshing is how Nell manages to make it through the story with her character intact... her changes are merely superficial, except for her newfound ability to trust in the man she loves. 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by Pocket Books

A Lady's Lesson in Scandal

by Meredith Duran

Release Date: June 28, 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books